Growing up, John Lundstram played in the same England youth side as Harry Kane, shared an Everton dressing room with John Stones and Ross Barkley and once squared off against a schoolboy Joao Cancelo.
So when the Rangers midfielder says he rates Malik Tillman among the best young talents he’s ever come across, there can be no doubt about how highly this 20-year-old American sits in his estimations. To be fair, there can’t be many sceptics left now when it comes to the ability boasted by this prodigious talent after the Bayern Munich kid’s deadly double on his return to the Ibrox starting line-up sealed victory over Dundee United on Saturday.
Few in reality have really doubted Tillman’s powers to open defences and beat goalkeepers with his graceful poise and balance. However, there have been plenty critics who have queried whether he really has the stomach to succeed in the Old Firm pressure pot.
Think of his anonymous display back at Celtic Park in September where he - and admittedly he wasn’t the only one - did nothing to stop Ange Postecoglou’s side running rampant. Neither did he make much of a mark either during Gers’ catastrophic Champions League campaign.
In fairness, Tillman could use the fact he was half fit ahead of the Viaplay Cup final having picked up a hamstring strain in the build up as an excuse for another ineffective display at Hampden. But as Gers prepare to return to Parkhead next weekend, there will be plenty wondering just which Tillman will turn up in Glasgow’s East End - the magic match-winner or the missing Malik?
Lundstram doesn’t buy those criticisms and made sure he bit back when he was quizzed on Tillman’s talent after Saturday’s 2-0 win over United. He snapped: “It’s all right saying it now, you were all slating him at the start of the season,” he snapped.
“I remember coming in [to the press room] and saying, ‘He’s a young lad, just give him time’. He’s honestly up there with one of the best talents I’ve seen. He’s a top, top player.
“You’re all giving him the credit now but you weren’t as kind at the start of the season. But he’s a top player. Everyone has stuck with him and he’s showing it now.”
Michael Beale’s belief in the young playmaker has never been hidden and the Ibrox boss is hoping sporting director Ross Wilson’s negotiations tactics pay off as talks progress with his parent club behind the scenes. Gers of course have an “exclusive option” to make Tillman’s loan a permanent affair, although the rumoured £5million fee is still to be settled.
To complicate matters further, Bayern are under new management with Thomas Tuchel now the main man in Bavaria and Beale conceded Rangers are waiting to hear if the former Chelsea coach has plans for the playmaker.
And that’s not to forget Tillman’s own thoughts on the matter. The former German youth international has been pretty coy on his plans for next season - but one way or another, Lundstram expects to see him reaching the top.
“His career is his own, he doesn’t need old me to come in and tell him what to do,” he said. “You don’t need a draw to come to this club. The draw is there.
“If he wants to stay, he will. If not his future is bright. Does he look happy out there? Of course he looks happy to me.
“I’d love him to stay. It’s his personal choice. It’s not really got anything to do with any of us. If he stays, then it’s great for all of us. If not, then we wish him well.
“This loan will have be huge for him. I think he’ll look back on this spell at Rangers, if he does go on to achieve massive, massive things in the game, and see this as a really important spell. I hope it’s a long spell.
“But if not I’m still sure he’ll go on and do great things - and I’m sure he’ll look back with fond memories. It just comes with games and it comes with experience.
“When you get a bit older you get a bit more relaxed. Once you get games under your belt it’s just comes with confidence, and I think his confidence is oozing right now and he’s showing exactly what he can do.
“He’s an absolute pleasure to play with. You just want to give him the ball as much as you can. It’s the same with Todd [Cantwell]. You want these type of players on the ball as much as possible. I just pass it to them five yards away and let them go do their stuff.”
Saturday’s brace saw Tillman move on to 12 goals for the season having also contributed five assists. Lundstram is struggling to keep count and said: “We’ve seen how good a player Malik is from box to box but it’s the numbers he’s starting to get now [that are impressive].
“I’m not sure how many it is for the season but I’m sure he’s got a few now. It’s huge when people see that, that he’s picking up number after number.
"It’s really good. Yeah there is [big potential there] but let’s not put too much pressure on him. He’s a great player but it is encouraging.”
READ NEXT
